Monsoon Cup - Day 3 - Flight 15: Onboard Mirsky's yacht against Holmberg

We had the chance to be onboard Torvar Mirsk'y yacht in his race against Magnus Holmberg. It is always a privilege to be onboard with the world's best match racers and in almost every regatta in the world we've been to, this right is restricted to a chosen few. In the Monsoon Cup this isn't the case since anybody, and we mean anybody, from the spectators can sigh up for what organizers call the "hot seat". The list is on a first-come first-served basis and after taking care of the TV and sponsors needs, spectators are assigned to a yacht. It's indeed a novel way to bring sailing even closer to the general public.

Coming back to the race, it was definitely very close and hard fought. The start was very even and Mirsky hit the starting line with a small advantage he was able to keep until the first weather mark. The Australians rounded ahead of Holmberg and kept the lead until the leeward gate where the rounding was again close. The breakthrough came in the 2nd beat (the race committee opted for a 3-leg race) when Mirsky went to the left, a move that paid a huge dividend as the current was getting stronger. He rounded the 2nd top mark well ahead and held on to the lead until the end. In the 3rd and final run, Holmberg decided to take a chance on the left, leading to a considerable lateral separation but the move didn't prove to be beneficial. Mirsky scored his 6th point and secured a spot in the quartefinals.

In the other important match of flight 15, Adam Minoprio had a very close fight with Peter Gilmour. Minoprio, the world's number 1 match racer, fell to Gilmour and put his chances to advance to the quarterfinals in peril. If he gets out of the quarterfinals he will let Torvar Mirsky the door wide open to claim the World Championship.

Mainsheet trimmer and tactician Kyle Langford keeps a close a eye on Magnus Homberg. Kuala Terengganu, 4 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Magnus Holmberg and his crew in the prestart. Kuala Terengganu, 4 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mirsky Racing Team sailing in the 1st beat. Kuala Terengganu, 4 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Magnus Holmberg sailing in the 1st beat. Kuala Terengganu, 4 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Magnus Holmberg sailing in the 1st run. Kuala Terengganu, 4 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The 2009 World Match Racing Champion? Kuala Terengganu, 4 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Close action downwind. Kuala Terengganu, 4 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Australia's young star sailors. Kuala Terengganu, 4 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mirsky Racing Team sailing to victory in the 3rd run. Kuala Terengganu, 4 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing